Brain and Spinal Injuries
In Pennsylvania, the summertime can be known as the “season of freedom.” Pools, lakes, waterparks, theme parks, and other outdoor activities are prolific. Everyone engages relentlessly in these as winters can be very dull and dim.
Even individuals that live closer to mountains can get on dirt bikes for adventure. The motorcycles are pulled out of storage as well. Highways become crowded with individuals in a hurry to get to the next outing in nature.
With this freedom, though, come more catastrophic injuries. Although signs exist at all lakes and swimming pools about “no diving” in shallow waters, this happens. Dirt bikers spin “wheelies,” and motorcyclists weave in and out of traffic.
Theme parks and waterparks see their share of accidents too. Although care is given to ensure safety, machinery breaks down, and individuals slip and fall in these adventure venues. Even death can occur as some parks experience falls that are fatal to visitors.
Catastrophic Brain and Spinal Injuries in the Summertime.
These types of injuries are life-changing and can lead to death or serious disability. Some of the most common are the following:
· Spinal injuries
When the summer heat hits, it is always tempting for individuals to dive into the cool water head first. Unfortunately, this is many times done unsafely in shallow waters. In addition, July in PA is the number one month in which spinal injuries occur while diving into shallow waters.
The compression, speed, and inflection put pressure on the spine, and paraplegia or quadriplegia can occur. Paraplegia is being paralyzed from the waist down, while quadriplegia is total paralysis from the neck down. Car, motorcycle, and dirtbike accidents can also contribute to spinal injuries.
• Catastrophic brain injuries
These also occur while diving into shallow waters and hitting one’s head first. However, these are more common during car accidents, especially motorcycle and dirt bike accidents. Even simple cyclists can experience a catastrophic brain injury.
Helmets are always advised while riding motorcycles, dirt bikes, and routine bicycles. The freedom of going “helmetless,” however, is very appealing to individuals.
Catastrophic brain injuries are also called Traumatic Brain Injuries simply because they are caused by an injury or trauma. These can involve both minor and major concussions. Minor concussions can many times heal themselves, while major concussions can leave scarring in the brain and impair functioning.
Another result of a concussion is that it can be more extensive than when it first occurs. There is a medical condition listed by the Social Security Administration as “Post Concussion Syndrome” (PCS).
This causes the symptoms to recur throughout life of loss of balance, changes in vision and hearing, and headaches that do not respond to treatment. This is why it is important to contact an attorney when any brain injury or concussion occurs.
Hospital bills, both at the time of the injury and even perhaps for life, will be a problem when not covered fully by insurance. A monetary settlement can be a good choice for individuals hurt on the job when dealing with a brain injury of any type.
Steps to Take with Spinal and Brain Injuries
1. Document the time and place of the injury.
2. Seek medical attention even if it seems minor, as both types of injuries do not immediately show symptoms.
3. Take pictures and, if possible, get the names of all witnesses, whether the injury occurs on a highway, at a theme park, outdoor park, or on the job.
4. If hospitalized, or sent home, contact an attorney to go over all options and what the procedures are for filing a complaint and initiating a lawsuit. Ensure that the attorney contacted has experience in negligence lawsuits and/or workman’s compensation injuries.
5. Follow up on all doctor’s appointments as instructed by medical staff, even if feeling well. Surprises with these types of injuries are all too common.
Summary—Traumatic Brain and Spinal Injuries in the Summer
These are all too common, unfortunately, and can have lifelong dire consequences. It pays to ensure that a good attorney with a team in place to litigate on a defendant’s behalf in these cases is onboard ASAP.
Christian J. Hoey, ESQ of Hoey Legal of Paoli, PA, has spent decades winning settlements for all types of cases of this type, where the Duty of Care has been neglected. The neglect of Duty of Care can be by an employer, a facility such as a theme park or waterpark, or even by another driver on a roadway.
Enjoy the summer, but remember that Christian J. Hoey, ESQ, and HoeyLegal stand ready to pursue your rights if and when needed! All it takes is a simple phone call: 1-888-GO-Hoey!
For more information on all our law services, visit us at HoeyLegal.com or call us at (610) 647-5151.